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Abstract

The earth’s escalating human population and subsequent resource consumption levels are posing increasing pressures on global food security and environmental sustainability. Urban agriculture can be viewed as one tool to help cities alleviate the ecological, social, and nutritional challenges associated with rapid urban growth (Halweil & Nierenberg, 2007). The University of British Columbia Food Systems Project (UBCFSP) is a collaborative, community-based action research (CBAR) project, which aims to implement sustainable practices within the university campus food system, thus softening the campus’ impact on natural resources. As one component of the UBCFSP, this paper outlines student attempts to initiate urban agriculture (UA) in the form of an edible campus garden. Methods of data collection include interviews with stakeholders, online and literature review, and soil sampling. Achievements include a garden design, production/harvest/distribution plan, temporary garden sign, partial committee formation, soil tilling, and potato planting. Based on our research and concurrent actions, the potential for the Land and Food Systems (LFS) Garden to be a successful initiative has been acknowledged and various recommendations for UBCFSP stakeholders and future AGSC 450 students have been created for future consideration and implementation. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”